Miss Chidinma Ojukwu, who is standing trial for the alleged murder of SuperTV CEO, Michael Ataga has been crowned Miss Cell 2022, while in detention.
Chidinma is still standing trial but won the beauty pageant held at Kirikiri correctional facility to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day.
At the well celebrated ceremony were several inmates and prison officials who were grinning and clapping.
This brazen act of irresponsibility on the part of prison management and senior officials of the Kirikiri prison for the fact that Chidinma was allowed to take part in this shameless show while still standing trial.
It is true that when people are sent to prison, they are allowed to participate in activities that can give them some level of flexibility and hope in life.
However, such privileges are given to those who have been convicted and sentenced already and not to those undergoing trial, for a heinous crime like murder.
When suspects are tried and convicted, it is assumed they are now living another world and measures are put in place to rehabilitate them and prepare them for a new life, for those who would eventually serve out their terms, even for those serving life or to face execution.
It is therefore unbelievable that someone facing murder trial is given the freedom to celebrate and see herself as a celebrity while still standing trial.
By this act, Chidinma has been emboldened to think that she had done nothing wrong.
In addition, this singular act is a negative signal to young people that they can do anything they like and get away with it.
Apart from the above, this act is capable of causing severe heartache for relatives of the victim who was murdered in cold blood. It gives the the impression that there is no justice in the country and that their husband, son and father died in bain.
We therefore call on the relevant authorities to as a matter of urgency sack the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Prisons Service as well as the management of the Kirikiri prison for this recklessness in the name of correctional center.
African Community News.